Yep I am done! I finished Molly’s chapter/episode in one (long) sitting and though it was challenging I have to say that this part was the most interesting to me. Molly is a saucy one, and in talking about her various conquests it was difficult to determine who it was she was talking about — Bloom, Boylan, or someone else. I would have liked to read more about Molly, as she was definitely a character

Overall I can’t say that I loved Ulysses, or even liked it very much. It is not a novel that one can simply pick up and read whenever there are a few spare minutes (though apparently it was a popular read for train commuters); it requires concentration, not to keep up with the plot (which I don’t think exists), but rather to keep up with Joyce’s style changes and his use of language. If anyone is stupid brave enough to try this novel, I’d recommend that you find an annotated edition — my copy was not and I know I could have benefited from some background information.

So I’m going to take a break from the weightier classics for now, but in November I will probably begin reading War & Peace which my classics reading group will be discussing in January. Have any of you read this one? Am I giving myself enough time to read it? I haven’t decided if I will blog about my progress through this one — if I do, will anyone join me?

And by the way, thank you to everyone who have left encouraging comments throughout my slog through Ulysses. I was doing this for my own satisfaction (ultimately, though, not enjoyment) but it was nice to see that there were people paying attention along the way.